so, this happened...

4.30.15

In 2014, I set a goal of running my 1st 26.2.  I was targeting the Metro PCS Dallas Marathon in early December as that race.   However, life got in the way of my training, so, only 13.1's for me in 14.  I completed 5 half marathons, and 43 total events.

My goals have changed a bit for 15.  I want to race less, and train more.  I would like my races to be longer distances...fewer 5k's and 10k's, etc.

I also plan to complete a 13.1 each month this year, and, have them all mapped out.  To date, I've completed 6, so,  I'm ahead of schedule.

A few months ago, on a whim, I entered my name into the lottery for the New York Marathon, which takes place in November.  I figured I might as well might as well "go big" for my 1st 26.2.  I have been struggling to commit to consistent training, so, was hopeful that a 26.2 would force me into training for a new distance.  Only 18% of applicants for NY are selected, and, on March 3, I was informed that I was not one of them.

Shortly thereafter, the lottery opened for the Chicago Marathon, which takes place October 11.  The lottery was open March 10 - April 21, with results being announced April 28.  The odds are better for Chicago, as 52% of the applicants are selected.

So, on Tuesday, I waited...

I had mixed feelings about whether or not I was selected, as an October race date presents challenges related to a family getaway (due to kids' school schedule), the cost of a destination race can be challenging, etc.

But, a little after 3:30, I saw this:

So...now what?

Well, I have until 5.5.15 to pay the race registration fee...$185.  Then, I'll need to figure out how to make this trip happen "on the cheap", as it is unlikely that the family will be able to join me for the trip.

Then...18 weeks of training leading up to the race.

I'm excited about training for something, as I have not truly trained for an event since Cowtown 13.1 2014.

It will be interesting to train for this while attempting to maintain a racing schedule (including multi-sport season).

I must admit...I kind of excited!  here we go...

Lonestar 13.1 2015

4.26.15

For the past two years, the Shiner GASP has been one of my favorite events.  For whatever reason, this year, they moved the event up a week. As a result, I couldn't go, as YMCA Healthy Kids Day conflicted with the event date. 

As a result, I began to look for other events for the weekend. Initially, I planned to drive to OKC after HKD and run the OKC Memorial  Half today.  I went as far as to book a hotel room in OKC. However, in an attempt to save a little money, I cancelled it.  Maybe next year, as I've heard that the OKC race is a good one.   I set my sights on the Lonestar Half in Arlington instead.  

I had no awareness of this event prior to a month or so ago, when I saw it pop up on Facebook.  Susan and Brian Smith are connected to the event, so, I figured I'd give it a go.  

I ran into Brian and Susan last week,  and they gave me a few of the details.  It sounded like a smallish race, but, it was close to home. It was scheduled to start at 6:30, which, is a little early, but, apparently that was due to the need to keep roads closed for a shorter amount of time.  

While my alcohol consumption had been far less this week, my diet has been poor.   My training has continued to be sporadic, at best.  I was up a little before 4:30 with no alarm, as I wanted to have some coffee and allow myself plenty of time.  

I rolled out at about 5:20, and arrived at the race site before 6.  As with all races, a restroom stop is key pre-race.  Perhaps my biggest win of the day was arriving to a bank of port-a-lets with no line, and, choosing a fresh port-a-let. #winning 

I took some time to stretch before this half, which, I oftentimes skip for longer races.    When the horn sounded, I got out to a fast start, and felt great. The early start time led to a cool start to the race.   I was pacing ahead of the 2:10 pacers, and felt good.   I ran the 1st 10k at a 9:50 pace, and, that was with extending .1 mile from early on in the race.    I began to walk up a few of the hills and through water stations, but, still felt good.   A quick pee stop slowed me a little again at about the halfway mark.  The 2:10 pacers passed me just after.   

My pace slowed drastically over the last the last 7 miles.  I ran most of the way, but, took the opportunity to briskly walk the hills.  The 2:20 pacers catching me was the motivation I needed to push through the end.  13.26 miles in 2:19:21.  

As for the course, I had pretty low expectations going in, but, was pleasantly surprised.  We ran by The Ballpark, Cowboys Stadium, and through some cool neighborhoods with big tree canopies.  The end of the race fed us through the UTA campus.  Good course.  

I'll likely do this one again.

Big D Half Marathon 2015

4.12.15

year 2.

meh.

Another Mellew Event.  This race group misses on a lot of easy runner experience items:

• race shirts are fair at best
• no expo
• no on course entertainment
• no "after-party" to speak of
• no corrals at start line 
• poor courses
• overall..mediocre events, at best

Considering the lack of attention to detail, you'd think that the race cost would be lower, but, it isn't by much.  My entry was $94.  

But,  I was there, as my quest for 1 half marathon a month in 2015 continues...at this pace, it may be more like 15 in 15, as today was #5 for the year.

Once again, Mellew promoted a new, flat course.  Once again...BS.

My Garmin crapped out last night / this morning.  As a result, I would be racing with less data than usual.  I'm hoping a hard reset will resolve the issue.  

After fighting through the 1st 2 miles of 2500 runners all bunched up, through narrow streets, and, at 1 point, through a grassy area (???), I found some room to run.  I felt pretty good, considering the lack of training.  

The new route took us down West Shore towards WRL.  I always appreciate being back in the hood.  We were fed on to the trail system, past the filter building, etc.  At several points, the course became incredibly narrow, leading to traffic jams...frustrating.  We worked onto the Santa Fe Trail, and back towards fair park.  At one point, we ran under a bridge where an abandoned couch had been dumped...nice.  

It was an incredibly humid day, making it difficult to keep core temp down, and, as a result, leading to a slower pace.  

Not much to say about this one...slow, humid day...slow time.   

Surely I can find better events for next April.  

Rock N Roll Dallas 13.1 2015

3.22.15

take 2.

I participated in this event last year, and, really liked it.  RnR does a great job with their events.  As a result, they cost a bit more, but, they are worth it.

I was on the fence on this one, as my training continues to be poor, and, like last year, this event fell on the weekend after the 1st 2 days of March Madness.  As a result, my beer consumption has been high, and, my diet has been poor...just like this time last year.

To add insult to injury,  my weight late in the week was higher than it has been since mid 2012.

I fought a bit of a cold / sinuses and some lower back pain early last week, so, waited to register.  I finally did so at the Expo yesterday.

The course changed a bit this year, and, I was interested to see the changes.

I had no problem getting to the event early and finding parking.  I saw a few folks I know prior to the event, and was glad that I 'd decided to run.

My bib had me assigned to corral 12, I'm assuming due to the late registration, but, I moved up to 8, as the 2:15 pacer was there.  I knew a few of the folks running with that pace group, so, figured I would tag along.

I picked up a new pair of Brooks PureCadence 3's at The Cowtown, and was eager to get them out on a long run.  I loved my PureCadence 2's that I ran much of last year in, and had been underwhelmed by everything I'd worn since.

I got of to a good, steady, pace, and felt great...shockingly.  I stopped for a pee break at about mile 5, but, quickly found my pace again.  the 2:15 group passed me by while I stopped, but, I knew that a 2:15 was still within reach.

I was headphone free on this one, and, much like RnR NO, enjoyed the sights and sounds of the race.

I really enjoyed the new course.  It was a bit hillier than last year, but, a great course.  I felt good until about mile 10, where I began to feel some fatigue.  I suspect the lack of training led to that.  I did walk quickly up a hill around mile 11,  but, resumed my running just after.  I picked it up near the finish line, and booked a 2:17:03.  Interestingly, only 1 second slower than the same event last year.   I felt pretty good about it as I haven't trained at all.

I felt good on this one...new shoes felt great, endurolytes and gels kept me from cramping, etc.

Just after crossing the finish line, I ran into Hider.  I didn't even realize that he was racing today.  We hung out, listened to Eric Hutchinson (headliner for the event), and drank a few beers before hitting the road.

Today was just what I needed to boost my confidence.  I'll look at Big D Half in a couple of weeks, the Caveman Tri later in April, and, likely, the OKC 13.1 on 4.26.

Racing season is here.  

36 months

3.12.15

3 years ago (on 3.24.12, to be exact), things changed for me.  After nearly 8 years of inactivity, I bought a bike, and began my journey back to wellness.

Some milestones along the way:

2012:

• 2981 miles traveled in 9 months.  
• my 1st bike rally ever - ended up completing 3:  42 miles, 57 miles, 63 miles
• 3 5k's completed.  After thinking I would never run again, this was a big deal
• participation in a Hoop It Up 3 on 3 tourney.  the 1st in many years

at one point my weight dropped to under 190 - too light.

2013:

22 events, including:

• 7 5k's...began to figure out the running thing
• 1 5 miler - 1st ever in October
• 3 10k's - 1st ever in November 
• 8 50+ mile bike rallies including Hotter N Hell 100
• 2 triathlons - 1st ever in July
• 1 duathlon - 1st ever.

I maintained a weight of 190 - 195. 

2014:

43 events, including:

• 6 50+ mile bike rallies
• 7 5k's - much faster!  PR of 25:02
• 1 6k
• 1 4 miler
• 6 10k's - much faster!  PR of 56:04
• 2 15k's - pacing improving
• 3 10 milers
• 3 duathlons - not yet competitive, but, improving 
• 9 triathlons - not yet competitive, but, improving.  this included 1st OWS swim event for me
• 5 half marathons - what the hell??  I never thought I could complete this distance.

but, my training sucked in 2014, and I maintained a weight 10 - 12 lbs above my ideal racing weight.

2015:

I'm struggling to get motivated to train.  Some of it is weather, lack of daylight, etc.  Some of it is pure apathy.  As of today, I feel heavy, lethargic, lazy.  I've completed 6 events to date:

• 1 10k
• 1 10 miler
• 3 half marathons - considering 1 a month this year
• 1 duathlon

I've been slow in each of these events....my lack of training and poor diet is showing.  

As I approach my 3 year anniversary of my 1st bike purchase and my commitment to wellness, I'm hopeful I will find some motivation as well...

Cowtown 13.1 2015

3.1.15

A year ago, this was my 1st 13.1 ever. As a non runner who had never completed more  than 5 miles prior to November of 2013, that was a pretty big deal.  I went on to complete 5 half marathons in 2014, and, today would be my 3rd in 2015.

I have had incredible difficulty committing to my training this year.  While my work schedule and the weather / sunlight have been factors, much of it feels like apathy.  I'm going to have to sort that out.  My races have felt sluggish due to the lack of training, and, in general, I feel somewhat lethargic.

I last exercised 2 weeks ago...let that settle in...not last raced two weeks ago, but, last exercised.  I competed in a duathlon that day and felt decent.

I went into this weekend having no idea what to expect, as my fitness level was a mystery.

To compound this issue, we have had a winter storm this week, closing schools, the Y etc.  As a result, the Cowtown 5k and 10k were cancelled on Saturday.  Late yesterday, the decision was made to cancel the full and ultra marathons, as the icy conditions made them unsafe.  The only event that would be held was the half.

I was unsure what to think about that, as full and ultra runners were offered the option to run the half. However, in looking at the results, there were still fewer runners than last year.  Clearly, lots of folks, including many that I know, skipped the event due to the weather

I laid out my gear last night, and debated several times on what would be best, as the temps would be in the mid 30's with the potential for rain.   I finally settled on running tights, a thermal compression shirt, a dri fit shit, a jacket, running gloves and a beanie cap.  I figured I could lose the gloves and vent the jacket along the way if needed.

My insomnia continues, as I awoke at 3 a.m. and never went back to sleep.

Living close to Will Rogers makes the commute easy.  I parked at farington field and walked down crestline to the venue.  Same as last year.

The corral set up was different this year.  While it helped with the staging, it did make things fairly congested for the first half mile, as, for whatever reason, they cut the starting line down to one lane.  Last year, it was 2.

I got off to a slow start, as the aforementioned congestion and slushy roads through trinity park made it difficult to find and room to run.  Like always, I also felt the need for a restroom stop, and, took it early.

Once I got on to 7th street, I found some space.  However, I already felt a bit out of sorts due to the insomnia, weather, and slow start.  I settled into a 11 min / mile pace.  Slow...

I really do like this course.  It is much hillier than RnR NO etc, but, I like running in areas that I know.   As I mentioned last year, the stockyards and main street hill are cool elements of this event.

Slow and steady on this one, until about mile 11.  I stopped to walk up a small hill, and stopped and walked once more about mile 12.  I'm clearly out of shape.  Early in the race, I realized it was going to be a slow day, but, wanted to be faster than the Texas Half a few weeks ago, as it was a disaster.  As I watched my Garmin, I realized today would be even slower.

I did my best to finish strong, but, posted a 2:27:38.  My slowest half marathon ever, and, a full 11 minutes slower than last year...almost a minute per mile.  yuck.

I'm glad to have this one done.

I keep saying I need to start training...maybe now I will.  I'm toying with a couple of more events this month, including a tri and another half. We'll see.

https://www.strava.com/activities/261638701

Um, what??

2.22.15

A couple of years back, I joined FW Tri Club.  At the time, my hope was to expand my network of racing buddies, find some folks to train with, etc.

In the 2 years that I have been a member, I haven't done a single thing with the club.  No monthly meetings, no training, not even listing it as my club when registering of events.   As shame, really.

At the end of 2014, I saw a FB post encouraging members to use the online portal to enter all of their race results for the year.  So, I did.  As previously mentioned,  my race schedule last year was just plain stupid.

Well, last night, FW Tri Club held their annual awards banquet.  I did not attend.

I received a FB message this morning indicating that I had been identified as the "Grand Prix" AG award winner.  I suspect that I completed more events last year than most.

The timing of this recognition is timely, as I am having trouble getting motivated to train in '15, and I am feeling somewhat out of shape.

So...here we go.  Time to gear up for my 1st tri in 3 weeks and plug in to FW Tri Club!